I remember my first experience working in cubicle-land: radio playing in the cubicle next to me, constant hum of voices interrupted occasionally by the sounds of a teleconference blasting over a less-than-considerate colleague’s phone, bursts of laughter, high-energy discussions.

The manager was an extrovert who did not think twice about it. She revelled in this upbeat, high-energy environment and simply assumed that it would be invigorating for everyone.

Yet for the introverts who thought best in silence, it was a nightmare.